Name: Luke Wichmann
School: Manhattan High School
Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?
A: Going to start training plan for next year and increasing my weekly mileage to a collegiate level as I look forward to running for the University of Portland. Meet in small groups of 3-6 to go on runs.
Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?
A: Volunteer work at local breadbasket, helping out around the house, raking leaves for my grandparents
Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?
A: State cross country this year. I have never liked hills and the rim rock course her in Kansas is an especially hilly one. Even though having run the course numerous times I never broke 17 minutes on it and usually raced a 17;30 or so. This year at state I got a 16:23 and gave more than every I had to earn myself a medal because it had always been my goal since freshmen year. Crossing the finish line and seeing my place displayed up on the board was the best feeling in the world to me.
Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?
A: Everyday just running with the top runner in the state, Daniel Harkin. He is the goofiest most lighthearted guy i've ever met and we always joke around during runs while still racing each other and being competitive when the time comes.
Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?
A: My own teammates. I've never been the best runner at my school with Cooper Schroeder running for my school my freshmen and sophomore year who now runs at K-State while my junior and senior year I've had to run against Daniel Harkin who has gotten now 2nd and 1st in state cross country. They have always pushed me a lot to which I am grateful.
Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?
Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
A: I wish I could go back to my freshmen self and tell him that there is no secret to running. If you want to become the best, you need to push yourself harder than everyone else. I would tell myself that running is a game that tests individuals to see who has the most resilient mindset and will push through the pain. Because once you tell yourself you're tired you've lost.
Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
A: Sickness. Every cross country season I got sick and would cough up stuff which really effected my health. While physically damaging my lungs and preventing me from running, once I got healthy again I wasn't always in the right mindset because everyone else had been able to continue their training while I had to overcome a large setback.
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: My teammates. Throughout my years on the team some great people have left our team but new ones have always joined. I've made really close friends and enjoying running with them everyday even though we know our season is cancelled, we still want to push ourselves and stay in shape in case the opportunity arises to race.
Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?
A: Push through the pain. Never skip days and be lazy. You can't make up miles missed today tomorrow. Get teammates to run with. Running alone is boring and it's harder to push yourself.
Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?
A: I've had great coaches in both cross country and track. Both coaches have decades of experience in distance running and still run a lot themselves. They have pushed y teammates and I to want the state title as a team and gave us the blueprints and mindset to get there
Q: What are your college plans?
A: I plan on pursuing a 4+1 plan at the University of Portland to get my masters in Engineering and Finance.
Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?
A: I would like to say thank you to my coaches, teammates, my parents, and everyone that has supported my high schools running team. They've all believed in myself and my team to do our best and have pushed us to better ourselves everyday. I am thankful for their immense support to which I have been able to find success with
Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
A: No
Q: Favorite Meal?
A: Chipotle. I often get a double wrapped burrito with double rice and black beans, and then put everything on it. I would not recommend eating this if you have to run later though.
Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?
A: I would like to be a turtle. Being able to drift through the unknowns of the ocean with a big turtle group would be fun and relaxing. Being able to jsut hide in my shell when danger arrived would be easy and convenient as well.
Q: Your favorite superhero?